NCAA Basketball: 10 biggest storylines from 2022 “Feast Week” matchups

3. Will we see Nick Smith make his debut for Arkansas?

The main reason why the Razorbacks were a preseason top-10 team and Final Four contender was the trio of five-star freshmen that joined the team. Two of them have been playing so far in Anthony Black and Jordan Walsh, both of whom have been solid overall but nothing that wouldNick make national headlines.

The guy who is capable of that is Nick Smith, a five-star and a top-5 overall freshman in the 2022 class. The 6’4 playmaker is viewed as a future NBA Draft lottery pick and a “one-and-done” player for the Razorbacks. He’s a great scorer and can facilitate for others and can solidify the point guard position for the team.

Smith has been dealing with a low-leg issue throughout the offseason and it has held him from playing in the first three games. The hope has always been that he’d be back for the Maui Invitational, starting with its quarterfinal matchup with Louisville, so it would be a nice way to ease him back into the lineup.

If he can’t go, look for guard Ricky Council to continue being the focal point of Arkansas offense. In three games the Wichita State transfer is averaging 18.7 ppg and 3.7 apg and has been the veteran-proven option needed so far. Let’s see if he can keep it up in the Maui Invitational, with or without Smith.